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Abstract:

An input device configured to communicate with a computing device
includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to
the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a
second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support
mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to
detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a
speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at
least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a
capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include
the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect
the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.

Claims:

1. An input device configured to communicate with a computing device
comprising: at least one keycap; a support mechanism operably connected
to the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to
a second position; a feature plate operably connected to the support
mechanism; and a sensing member configured to detect at least one of a
change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at least
one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or a
location of a finger.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensing member is a
capacitive sensor.

3. The input device of claim 2, wherein the sensing member interacts with
at least one component of the input device to detect changes in
capacitance in order to detect the at least one of the change of position
of the at least one keycap, the speed of the at least one keycap, the
amount of force applied to the at least one keycap, or the location of
the finger.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein the at least one component of the
input device includes at least one of metal or a layer of sensing
material.

5. The input device of claim 3, wherein the at least one component of the
input device comprises at least one sensor and wherein a capacitance
between the at least one sensor and the sensing member varies based at
least on a distance between the at least one sensor and the sensing
member.

6. The input device of claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor is at
least one of positioned below the at least one keycap or incorporated
into the at least one keycap.

7. The input device of claim 5, wherein the input device further
comprises at least one haptic device operably coupled to the at least one
keycap wherein the at least one sensor is at least one of positioned on
an extrusion of the at least one haptic device or incorporated into the
at least one haptic device, the sensing member is positioned within a
cavity defined by the at least one haptic device, compression of the at
least one haptic device changes the distance between the at least one
sensor and the sensing member, and the sensing member detects the at
least one of the change of position of the at least one keycap, the speed
of the at least one keycap, the amount of force applied to the at least
one keycap, or the location of a finger by detecting compression of the
at least one haptic device

8. The input device of claim 5, wherein the compression of the at least
one haptic device brings the at least one sensor closer towards the
sensing member.

9. The input device of claim 5, wherein the at least one sensor is at
least one of operably coupled to the support mechanism or incorporated
into the support mechanism and the sensing member detects the at least
one of the change of position of the at least one keycap, the speed of
the at least one keycap, the amount of force applied to the at least one
keycap, or the location of a finger by detecting changes in a height of
at least one support included in the support mechanism.

10. The input device of claim 5, wherein the capacitance between the at
least one sensor and the sensing member further varies based at least on
a presence of at least one additional capacitive element.

11. The input device of claim 2, further comprising a shielding member
that at least partially isolates the sensing member.

12. The input device of claim 11, wherein the shielding member comprises
at least a dielectric material.

13. The input device of claim 11, wherein the shielding member comprises
at least one shielding layer of at least one haptic device operably
coupled to the at least one keycap.

14. The input device of claim 2, wherein the sensing member comprises at
least one of indium tin oxide, tin-doped indium oxide, or indium tin
oxide layered on at least one film of organic light emitting diodes.

15. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensing member is configured
to detect the location of the finger and the sensing member is operable
to detect the location of the finger without requiring movement of the at
least one keycap.

16. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensing member is at least
one of positioned below the at least one keycap, positioned within at
least one haptic device operably coupled to the at least one keycap, or
positioned above the feature plate

17. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensing member is integrated
into an illumination panel that is operably connected to the support
mechanism and in optical communication with at least a portion of the at
least one keycap.

18. The input device of claim 1, wherein the sensing member is at least
one of positioned as a frame around a sensor membrane or positioned on a
top surface of the sensor membrane.

19. An keyboard configured to communicate with a computing device
comprising: at least one keycap; a substrate operably connected to the at
least one keycap; and a sensing member configured to detect at least one
of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a speed of the at
least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at least one keycap,
and a location of a finger.

20. A method for detecting input from an input device, comprising:
providing an input device including at least one keycap and a feature
plate operably connected to a support mechanism that is configured to
move the keycap from a first position to a second position; detecting,
utilizing a sensing member, at least one of a change of position of the
at least one keycap, a speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of
force applied to the at least one keycap, or a location of a finger.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/578,687, which
was filed on Dec. 21, 2011, and entitled "Keyboard Mechanisms for
Electronic Devices," which is incorporated by reference as if fully
disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and
more specifically to input devices for electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Computers and other electronic devices typically include one or
more input devices, such as mice, keyboards, joysticks, and the like so a
user can more easily interact with the device in question. Often, these
input devices may be integrated with or into the associated electronic
device. For example, a laptop computer may include a keyboard operably
connected to its internal systems and housed within its enclosure.
Similarly, a laptop computer may also include a track pad or other
motion-based input device that may also be integrated with the enclosure.

[0004] In some instances, it may be desirable to reduce the size of some
computers or other electronic devices. For example, smart phones and
laptops may be designed to be as small and light as possible. However,
many input devices may consume a substantial amount of interior space of
the associated computing device. For example, many conventional keyboards
have a mechanical scissor mechanism that translates each key vertically
by a predetermined distance, as well as other mechanical layers that,
taken together form a key stack. Thus, the height of the device's
enclosure may be limited by the vertical travel range of the keys, as
well as the thickness or height of the key stack.

SUMMARY

[0005] An input device configured to communicate with a computing device
includes at least one keycap, a support mechanism operably connected to
the keycap and configured to move the keycap from a first position to a
second position, a feature plate operably connected to the support
mechanism, and a sensing member. The sensing member is configured to
detect at least one of a change of position of the at least one keycap, a
speed of the at least one keycap, an amount of force applied to the at
least one keycap, or a location of a finger. The sensing member may be a
capacitive sensor. In some embodiments, the input device may not include
the support mechanism and the sensing member may be configured to detect
the location of a finger regardless whether or not the keycap moves.

[0006] In some implementations, the sensing member may interact with a
component of the input device to detect changes in capacitance. The
capacitance between the sensing member and the component may vary based
on the distance between the sensing member and the component, the
presence of additional capacitive elements, and so on. Such a component
may include metal, one or more layers of sensing material, and so on. The
component may be a sensor that may be variously positioned in the input
device, including incorporated into one or more components of the input
device such as the support mechanism, a haptic device included in the
input device, and so on. Similarly, the sensing member may be variously
positioned.

[0007] In various implementations, the input device may also include one
or more shielding members that at least partially isolate the sensing
member. Such a shielding member may be a dielectric material. In one or
more implementations, the sensing member may be positioned as a frame
around a sensor membrane, positioned on the top surface of the sensor
membrane, and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computing device including a
keyboard.

[0009] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a section of the computing device
including a key of the keyboard.

[0010] FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 2A.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 303 in
FIG. 2A.

[0012] FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the key having a first embodiment of
a support mechanism.

[0013] FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 4A with a keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 5-5 in
FIG. 4A.

[0015] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the key in a normal or resting
position.

[0016] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the key in a depressed position.

[0017] FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the key having a second embodiment of
the support mechanism.

[0018] FIG. 7B is a top plan view the key of FIG. 7A with the keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0019] FIG. 7C is a fragmentary view of the first side member of the
support mechanism.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 8-8 in
FIG. 7A.

[0021] FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the key having a third embodiment of
the support mechanism.

[0022] FIG. 9B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 9A with the keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0023] FIG. 10A is a top plan view of the key having a third embodiment of
the support mechanism.

[0024] FIG. 10B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 10A with the keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 11-11
in FIG. 10A.

[0026] FIG. 12A is a top plan view of the key having an illumination panel
and a feature plate.

[0027] FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 12A with the keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0028] FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 12A with the keycap
and the support mechanism removed to illustrate certain features.

[0029] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 13-13
in FIG. 12A.

[0030] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the illumination panel and the
feature plate for a row of three keys.

[0031] FIG. 15A is a cross-section view of a first embodiment of the key
of FIG. 12A with certain features hidden for clarity.

[0032] FIG. 15B is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the key
of FIG. 12A with certain features hidden for clarity.

[0033] FIG. 15C is a cross-section view of a third embodiment of the key
of FIG. 12A with certain features hidden for clarity.

[0034] FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the key having a frame at least
partially surrounding the illumination panel.

[0035] FIG. 16B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 16A.

[0036] FIG. 16C is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 16A with the keycap
removed to illustrate certain features.

[0037] FIG. 17 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 17-17
in FIG. 16B.

[0038] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the frame and the illumination panel
removed from the key.

[0039] FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of the key having a sensing
mechanism incorporated with an illumination mechanism, with certain
features hidden for clarity.

[0040] FIG. 20A is a top plan view of the key having a second embodiment
of the sensing mechanism.

[0041] FIG. 20B is a top plan view of the key of FIG. 20A with the keycap
hidden to illustrate certain features.

[0042] FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of the key taken along line 21-21
in FIG. 20A.

[0043] FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of the key illustrating an adhesive
layer with certain features hidden for clarity.

SPECIFICATION

Overview

[0044] Some embodiments described herein may take the form of a keyboard
for an electronic device or computing device; these two terms are used
generally interchangeably. The keyboard may provide user input to the
computing device and may include different keys, buttons, or switches
that may represent different inputs to the computing device. For example,
each of the keys may include a legend or symbol, such as alphanumeric
symbols and/or words; the corresponding input may be initiated within the
computing device when the key is pressed. The keyboard may be in
communication with the computing device and may be integrated with or
external to the computing device. In one embodiment, the keyboard may be
operably connected to an enclosure of the computing device.

[0045] Each of the keys of the keyboard may be made of a key stack, which
may include a feature or anchoring plate, a light guide or illumination
panel, a sensor membrane, a top layer, a support mechanism, a haptic
device, and a key cap. The feature plate may support the key, and in some
instances may be operably connected to the enclosure of the computing
device. The keycap may sit on top of the support mechanism, which
supports the key cap above the feature plate and allows the key cap to
travel vertically relative to the feature plate. The haptic device may
provide feedback to the user when an input is provided to the key cap.
For example, the haptic device may be a compressible dome that provides a
tactile feel on the key for the user. The illumination panel may provide
illumination for the key and/or keyboard. The sensor membrane(s) may
provide input to the computing device that a key has been depressed.

[0046] In some embodiments, the keys of the keyboard may have a vertical
travel motion relative to the enclosure of the computing device. When the
user provides a downward force on the key cap, the keycap may travel
downward while supported by the support mechanism. In one embodiment, the
support mechanism may be one or more supports interconnected together. In
some embodiments, the supports of the support mechanism may be formed of
a rigid material to substantially prevent the keycap from bending or
tilting when a downward force is exerted on a portion or an entire area
of the keycap. In these embodiments, the supports may allow the keycap to
move vertically while remaining substantially parallel to the feature
plate. In these embodiments, the support mechanism may have some lateral
motion that translates into the vertical motion of the keycap. For
example, in one embodiment, a first support of the support mechanism may
slide relative to a second support and thus as the keycap travels
vertically, the support mechanism travels both laterally and vertically.

[0047] The lateral motion of the support or scissor mechanism may allow
the keyboard to have a reduced thickness as compared to conventional
keyboards. This is because scissor mechanisms for conventional keyboards
typically suffer from some torsional twisting if a keycap is pressed at
an edge or corner. That is, if a user presses a corner of the keycap,
that corner may travel downward more than other parts of the keycap, such
as the opposing corner. This torsional or bending motion may require an
increased travel distance between the keycap and the feature plate in
order to prevent the corner from bottoming out before an input is
registered. As the support mechanism of the current disclosure may reduce
or eliminate bending, and translate some vertical force into a lateral
motion of the support mechanism, the travel distance may be reduced,
allowing a thickness of the keyboard to be reduced.

[0048] Other embodiments of the keyboard may include an illumination panel
(e.g., light guide) and /or illumination mechanisms for the keyboard. In
one embodiment, the illumination panel may be optically coupled to a
light source and be positioned above the feature (or anchoring) plate. In
typical illuminated keyboards , the feature plate is positioned above the
illumination mechanism in order to better provide a mechanical connection
for the keys and to better sense when a particular key is depressed.

[0049] The feature plate may include electrical connections for keys, such
as switches to register input when a key is pressed. However, in
conventional keyboards, the feature plate may block a significant portion
of light that would otherwise illuminate one or more keycaps.
Accordingly, as in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
illumination panel may be positioned above or integrated with the feature
plate so that light may have a more direct path towards the desired area
for illumination, e.g., a back surface of the key cap. Thus, less light
may be required to provide the same amount of illumination, which may
provide power savings for the keyboard. Further, the illumination panel
and/or light source may be more efficient as a larger percentage of light
may be directed towards the target surface, without having to travel
around an obstruction or be re-directed.

[0050] In yet other embodiments, the keyboard may include a sensing member
for sensing when a user has selected or depressed a key. The sensing
member may not require mechanical actuation in order to detect a user
input. For example, the sensing member may be configured to detect
changes in capacitance. In one embodiment, a capacitive sensor layer may
be positioned within the key stack so to detect when a user has depressed
or touched the key cap. In these embodiments, the keyboard may be able to
detect any or all of: the keycap approaching the feature plate; varying
forces applied to the keycap; and the position or presence of fingers on
the various keycaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Turning to the figures and as described briefly above, the keyboard
may be incorporated with a computing device. FIG. 1 is a perspective view
of a computing device 100 having a keyboard 102 incorporated therein. The
computing device 100 may be substantially any type of computing device
100, such as a laptop computer, desktop computer, smart phone, portable
gaming device, and so on. Additionally, it should be noted that although
the keyboard 102 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as being integrated with the
computing device 100, in other embodiments, the keyboard 102 may be
separate from the computing 100. For example, the keyboard 102 may be a
standalone unit and substantially self contained. In these embodiments,
the keyboard 102 may include a communication device (e.g., cable,
wireless interface) for transferring data to and from the computing
device 100.

[0052] In some embodiments, the computing device 100 may further include
an enclosure 104 substantially surrounding the keyboard 102. In
embodiments where the keyboard may be physically separate from the
computing device, the enclosure 102 may at least partially surround the
keyboard 102 and may be operably connected to the keyboard 10,2 as
discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 22. In some
embodiments, the enclosure 104 may define multiple apertures, each of
which may receive one or more keys 106 of the keyboard 102. However, in
other embodiments, the enclosure 104 may define a single aperture or
fewer apertures than the number of keys, so that the entire keyboard 102
may be received within a single aperture or groups of keys may be
received through group apertures.

[0053] The keyboard 102 may include multiple keys 106 of varying sizes
and/or shapes. Additionally, each of the keys 106 may include a symbol or
indicator on a top surface of a keycap. For example, the symbol (not
shown) for each key 106 may be painted, etched, or illuminated through
the keycap 106 through an aperture or transparent portion. Each of the
keys 106 may represent one or more different inputs, and as each key 106
is depressed by a user, the key 106 may provide an input to the computing
device 100. For example, the keys 106 may include a sensor to detect when
it is depressed, and the sensor may transmit a signal to a processor
within the computing device 100 indicating that the key 106 has been
depressed or otherwise selected. In other embodiments, as the key is
depressed, it may complete a switch circuit indicating that the key has
been selected.

[0054] The keys 106 of the keyboard 102 will now be discussed in more
detail. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the key 106 removed from the
keyboard 102 and the computing device 100. FIG. 2B is a top plan view of
the key 106. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the key 106 taken along
line 3-3 in FIG. 2A. As briefly described above, the enclosure 104 may
define a key aperture 128 in which the key 106 is positioned. The
enclosure 104 may also surround the key 106, but as shown in FIG. 3, the
key aperture 128 may be slightly larger than the key 106, so that the key
106 may be able to move vertically within the key aperture 128. In some
embodiments, the key 106 may have a resting or normal position where a
keycap 108 may be positioned even with or slightly higher than a top
surface 132 of the enclosure 104. As a user depresses the key 106, the
key 106 may translate downward, as shown in FIG. 3 by arrow D, with
respect to the top surface 132 of the enclosure 104.

[0055] Referencing FIG. 3, the key 106 may include a keycap 108 supported
by a support mechanism 110. The support mechanism 110 supports the keycap
108 over a base 134 with a haptic device 116 positioned within a cavity
defined by the support mechanism 110 and below the keycap 108. The
support mechanism 110 or scissor mechanism is discussed in more detail
with respect to FIGS. 4A-12. Briefly, the support mechanism 110 may
include a first support 112 and a second support 114 both of which may be
operably connected to the base 134. The supports 112, 114 cooperate to
translate the keycap 108 vertically within the key aperture 128 in
response to a downward force on the keycap. In some embodiments, the
support mechanism 110 may be operably connected to a bottom surface of
the keycap 108, so that as a force is exerted on the keycap 108, the
force may also be transferred to the support mechanism 110. Additionally,
the support mechanism 110 may attach to the base 134 by one more
anchoring members 136 that anchor the support mechanism 110 to the base
134. Thus, the first and second supports 112, 114 may move vertically,
but may be substantially prevented or at least somewhat limited in
lateral motion.

[0056] The haptic device 116 may be substantially any type of device
capable of providing feedback to a user in response to the user touching
and/or applying a force to the key 106. In one embodiment, the haptic
device 116 is a compressible dome that may be bonded or otherwise
connected to one or more layers of the base 134. For example, the dome
may mechanically compress as the user provides a downward force on the
keycap 116, providing feedback to the user. In one embodiment, the haptic
device 116 is operably connected to a sensor membrane layer 122. In these
embodiments, the haptic device 116 may also function to provide an input
to the sensor membrane 122 indicating that the key 106 has been selected.
For example, the haptic device 116 may complete a circuit or switch
within the sensor membrane 122 and/or the illumination panel 120. Or, as
discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 21, the haptic device
116 may be in communication with a sensing member that may detect changes
in position of the haptic device 116.

[0057] The base 134 may be operably connected to the enclosure 104 through
a fastener 126 and/or by adhesive 124 (discussed in more detail below
with respect to FIG. 22). In some embodiments, as the key 106 is operably
connected to the base 134 (through the support mechanism 110 and/or the
haptic device 116), the base 134 may operably connect the key 106 to the
enclosure 104. The base 134 may include a feature plate 118, an
illumination panel 120, and/or a sensor membrane 122. The various
elements of the base 13 may be connected to each other or separately
connected to other elements of the keyboard 102. Furthermore, in some
embodiments, one or more of the layers may be combined with one or more
the other layers of the base 134. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the
illumination panel 120 may be combined with the feature plate 118 to
reduce the height of the base 134 and keyboard stack 130.

[0058] The feature plate 118 may form a bottom of the key stack 130 and
may operably and/or communicatively connect the key 106 to the computing
device 100. For example, the feature plate 118 may include contacts (not
shown) for transmitting electrical signals. Furthermore, the feature
plate 118 may also include anchoring members 136 that secure the support
mechanism 110 in position. For example, the anchoring members 136 may
secure to one or both of the supports 112, 114.

[0059] The illumination panel 120 may provide illumination for the key 106
and/or other portions of the keyboard 102 and will be discussed in
further detail below with respect to FIGS. 14A-20. In some embodiments,
the illumination panel 120 may be positioned above the feature plate 118
and below the sensor membrane 122. In other words, the illumination panel
120 may form an intermediate layer of the base 134. Also, in some
embodiments, the illumination panel 120 may be further combined with one
or more sensors to form a sensor layer within the base 134. In these
embodiments, the sensor membrane 122 may form a top layer for the sensors
within the illumination panel 120. In yet other embodiments, the
illumination panel 120 may be omitted and a sensor layer (either combined
with the sensor membrane 122 or separate therefrom) may be included.

[0060] The sensor membrane 122 may form a top layer of the base 134. In
some embodiments, the sensor membrane 122 may form a protective layer
between the sensors in the illumination panel 120 (or intermediate layer
if no illumination is desired). Also, in some embodiments, the sensor
membrane 122 may include one or more sensors for detecting whether the
key 106 has been selected by a user. Various elements of the keyboard
will now be discussed in further detail.

Support Mechanism

[0061] The support mechanism 110 will now be discussed in more detail.
FIG. 4A is a top plan view of the key 106 including a first embodiment of
the support mechanism 110 removed from the enclosure 104. FIG. 4B is a
top plan view of the key 106 with the keycap 108 and haptic device 116
removed for clarity. FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the key 106 of
FIG. 4A. The support mechanism 210 in this embodiment may include a first
support 212 and a second support 214. The supports 212, 214 may be
operably connected to the feature plate 118 by the anchoring members 136.
The anchoring members 136 may extend through apertures 138 formed within
the illumination panel 120 to interact with each of the supports 212,
214, securing them to the feature plate 118. The supports 212, 214 may
also be operably connected to the keycap 108.

[0062] In some embodiments each of the supports 212, 214 may be created
out of generally rigid material, such as but not limited to, glass filled
plastic, metal coated plastic, cast metal, metal injection molded
material, or machined metal. In these embodiments, the support structure
210 may be substantially stiffer than conventional scissor mechanisms,
which are usually constructed out of plastic. As the support structure
210 is stiffer than conventional scissor mechanisms, the keycap 108 may
be less likely to tilt as a force is applied to the top surface. This may
allow substantially planar motion as the keycap 108 travels within the
receiving aperture 128 of the enclosure 104. Furthermore, the amount of
contact with the keycap 108 required to adequately support the keycap 108
may be reduced. For example, scissor mechanisms constructed out of
plastic may require more surface area in contact with the keycap 108 to
support the same forces as compared to metal or other stiffer materials.
The reduced surface area of the support structure 210 may allow for more
light, e.g., from the illumination plate 120 or other source, to be
transmitted through the keycap 108 without being blocked by portions of
the support structure 210.

[0063] The support structure 210 may also allow for tighter tolerances
than in conventional keyboard scissor mechanisms. This is due to the
smaller surface area that may be required to support the same forces
exerted on the keycap 108 (allowing smaller diameters). Additionally, the
manufacturing techniques for certain metal materials may allow for closer
tolerances than typical plastic component techniques.

[0064] With reference to FIGS. 4b and 5, the first support 212 may be
substantially square or rectangular shaped and may include a brace member
230 and a cross member 216. The cross member 216 may span between two
edges 231, 233 of the brace member 230. The brace member 230 may have two
side members 232, 234 interconnected together by a bottom member 235. In
one embodiment, the brace member 230 may have four rounded corners 226 as
it transitions from the side members 232, 234 to the bottom member 235
and as the side members 232, 234 transitions towards the ends 231, 233.
The bottom member 235 may be operably connected to a bottom surface of
the keycap 108, e.g., by a snap fit, adhesive, or other connection
mechanism. In one embodiment, the bottom member 235 may be connected to
the keycap 108 at two separate but adjacent locations. In this
embodiment, the keycap 108 may be supported at two discrete locations,
which may be positioned near two corners of the keycap 108 to better
support the entire surface of the keycap 108.

[0065] The two side members 232, 234 may be substantially parallel to each
other may define a connection member 220 that extends inwards towards the
opposite side member 232, 234. The connection member 220 may further
include a locking member 228 that operably connects the first support 212
to the second support 214. In one embodiment, the connection member 220
may be a shoulder extending from an inner surface of the side members
232, 234 and the locking member 228 may be a hook or other securing
member.

[0066] The locking member 228 may create a pivot point for the two
supports 212, 214. For example, the locking member 22 may substantially
prevent lateral movement of the two supports 212, 214 relative to each
other, but may allow vertical movement. In one embodiment, the supports
212, 214 may be interconnected together in an "X" configuration, with the
locking member 228 connecting the two at the midpoint of the "X."

[0067] With continued reference to FIG. 4B and 5, in some embodiments, the
brace member 230 may have a non-rounded cross section. For example, the
brace member 230 may have a square, rectangular, I or T shaped
cross-section. In these embodiments, the cross-section area of the brace
member 230 may increase the stiffness of the support structure 210, while
also decreasing the width required for the support 212 to support the
area of the keycap 108. For example, the brace member 230 may have an
ideal beam or I-beam shape to provide efficient support with respect to
bending and shear forces, with a reduced amount of material and width. By
reducing the width of the side members 230-233, the width of the support
structure 210 may also be reduced, allowing more light from the
illumination plate 120 (or other source) to be transmitted through and
around the keycap 108, as the support structure may not block as much of
the surface area of the keycap 108.

[0068] Opposite of the brace member 230, the cross member 216 may have a
generally rounded or circular cross-section. Additionally, the cross
member 216 may be operably connected to the feature plate 118 as it may
connect to the anchoring members 136. For example, as shown in FIG. 5,
the anchoring members 136 may be "L", "J", or other hook-shaped members
that may wrap around at least a portion of the cross member 216. In this
embodiment, the circular or rounded cross-section of the cross member 216
may allow the first support 212 to move the keycap 108 vertically. For
example, the cross member 216 allows the brace member 230 to pivot, while
remaining substantially in the same position laterally due to the
anchoring member 136. Further, the rounded or circular cross-section of
the cross member 22 may provide for better torsion for the support
mechanism 210, allowing it to better translate forces exerted on the
keycap 108 into vertical motion of the keycap 108.

[0069] The second support 214 may be nested within the first support 212
and be operably connected thereto by the locking member 228. The second
support 214 may be somewhat similarly shaped to the first support 212 in
that it may have a generally square or rectangular structure when
positioned flat on the illumination panel 120 or on the sensor membrane
122. The second support 214 may include a cross member 222 interconnected
between two ends 238, 240 of a brace member 224. The brace member 224 may
be generally shaped as a "U" having a flat bottom, i.e., the brace member
224 may have two generally parallel side members with a bottom member.
Additionally, the brace member 224 may have rounded corners 236 as the
two parallel side members transition to form the bottom member.

[0070] The brace member 224 may be operably connected to the feature plate
118. In some embodiments, the brace member 224 may include connection
portions 244 that operably connect to anchoring members 136. The
connection portions 244 may have generally rounded cross-section areas,
so that the brace member 224 may transition from a non-rounded
cross-section to a rounded cross-section at the connection portions 244
or ends 238, 240. However, in some embodiments, the connection portions
244 may have be flat, rounded, or a combination of flat and rounded
(e.g., a flat surface having rounded edges or corners). Furthermore, the
connections portions 244 may further be a sliding surface or a round
surface to allow translation and rotation. Furthermore, in some
embodiments, the brace member 224 may be operably connected to the first
support member 212. For example, the two parallel side members may be
operably connected to the connection members 220 and the locking member
228 may extend around at portion of the side members. By this connection,
the two supports 212, 214 may be substantially connected together, such
that movement of one support 212, 214 will move the other.

[0071] In some embodiments, the cross member 222 may be operably connected
to a bottom surface of the keycap 108. For example, the cross member 222
may interact with one or more securing features 242 extending from the
bottom surface of the keycap 108. The cross member 222 may have a
generally circular or rounded cross-section and the brace member 224 may
have a non-rounded cross section, such as a T, I, or rectangular
cross-section. The rounded or circular cross sectional may allow the
cross member 222 to rotate within the securing features 242, so that the
second support 214 may pivot with respect to the feature plate 118, while
remaining secured to the feature plate 118.

[0072] Turning now to the motion of the key 106, as a force is applied to
the keycap 108, the support mechanism 210 may allow the keycap 108 to
move vertically within the key aperture 128. FIG. 6A is a perspective
view of the key 106 in a normal or resting position. FIG. 6B is a
perspective view of the key 106 in a depressed position. As the keycap
108 is depressed, the keycap 108 travels vertically and the height of the
support structure 210 decreases.

[0073] With reference now to FIGS. 4B and 5, when the key 106 is in a
resting position, a bottom edge 248 of the keycap 108 may be positioned
at a height H1 from a top surface of the base 134. The first support 212
may be angled upward from a first side of the key 106 to a second side of
the key 106, as the brace 230 is connected to keycap 108 (positioned
above the feature plate) and the cross member 222 is operably connected
to the feature plate 118. Similarly, the second support 214 may be angled
upward from a second side of the key 106 to the first side of the key
106. This is because the cross member 222 of the second support 214 is
operably connected to the keycap 108 and the brace 230 is operably
connected to the feature plate 118.

[0074] In some embodiments and as shown on FIG. 4B, the corners 226, 236
of each of the supports 212, 214 may be positioned adjacent an inner
corner edge of the keycap 108. As compared with the conventional keyboard
keys, these corners 226, 236 may be substantially further away from a
center of the keycap 108 and thus may better prevent tilt of the keycap
108. For example, if a user presses on the corner of the keycap 108, the
support provided by the supports 212, 214 may prevent the corner portion
of the keycap 108 from tilting. This may therefore allow the keycap 108
to have generally more planar travel motion as compared with conventional
keyboards, which as described above, can help in reducing the height of
the key stack 130.

[0075] In the normal position of the key 106, the two side members 232,
234 of the first support 212 may cross or otherwise form an "X"
intersection with the respective parallel side members of the brace 224.
This is because the two supports 212, 214 are both connected to the
keycap 108 at opposite sides and connected to the feature plate 118 at
opposite sides of the key 106, and angle upward from the feature plate
118 to connect to the bottom of the keycap 108 opposite of the attachment
to the feature plate 118.

[0076] As a force is applied to the keycap 108, the supports 212, 214
pivot to allow vertical movement of the keycap 108 downward towards the
feature plate 118. However, as the supports 212, 214 are connected to the
feature plate 118, lateral movement of the supports 212, 214 may be
substantially reduced. Accordingly, as the user applies a force to the
keycap 108, the keycap 108 may translate substantially parallel to the
feature plate 118, which in turn, causes supports to collapse and the
keycap to lower. As the keycap 108 is depressed, the haptic device 116
may compress to provide feedback and/or provide a signal that the key 106
has been selected.

[0077] With reference to FIGS. 4B and 5, in this embodiment of the key
106, a light source 140 may be positioned within the key aperture 128
underneath and aligned with a portion of the keycap 108. The light source
140 may be used in conjunction with or separate from the illumination
panel 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light source 140 may be
operably connected to an intermediate layer 141 which may provide power
and/or signals to the light source 140. The light source 140 may provide
illumination for the key 106 and will be discussed in more detail below
with respect to FIG. 14.

[0078] A second embodiment of the support structure 310 will now be
discussed. FIG. 7A is a top plan view of the key 106 including the
support structure 310. FIG. 7B is a top plan view of the key 106 with the
keycap 108 removed for clarity. FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the key
106 of FIG. 7A taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7A. In this embodiment, the
support structure 310 may include a first support 312 and a second
support 314 nested within the first support 312. The supports 312, 314
may have substantially the same shape, except that the second support 314
may have smaller dimensions than the first support 312.

[0079] The first support 312 may have a generally rectangular perimeter
and include rounded corners 326. In this embodiment, substantially the
entire first support 312 may have a generally rounded or circular
cross-section area. The first support 312 may have four side members 340,
341, 342, 343, where a first side member 340 is substantially parallel to
a third side member 342 and a second side member 341 is substantially
parallel to a fourth side member 343. The fourth side member 343 may be
operably connected to the feature plate 118 by the anchoring members 136.

[0080] The first side member 340 and the second side member 342 may be
operably connected to the second support 314, allowing the first and
second supports 312, 314 to move together. FIG. 7C is a fragmentary view
of the first side member 340. The second side member 342 may be
substantially the same as the first side member 340. As shown in FIG. 7C,
a body 346 of the side members 340, 342 may flatten from a generally
rounded cross section to form a joint 320. The joint 320 may have a
non-rounded cross section, and may define a knuckle aperture 322 defined
therethrough.

[0081] With reference to FIGS. 7B-7C, the second support 314 may be
substantially the same as the first support 312. For example, the second
support 314 may have four side members 350, 351, 352, 353 interconnected
together forming a generally rectangular or square perimeter.
Additionally, the second support 314 may have generally rounded corners
336 at the transition between side members 350, 351, 352, 353. Similarly
to the first support 312, the second support 314 may include a joint 320
for connecting to a knuckle 338. Although FIG. 7C illustrates the first
support 312, the second support 314 may be substantially the same.
Accordingly, the joint 320 may further define a knuckle receiving
aperture 322 within the flattened portion. Furthermore, the second
support 314 may have a generally rounded or cross-section area, except at
the joint 320 where the cross-section area may be flatten and more
linear.

[0082] With reference to FIG. 7B, two knuckles 328 may be positioned
between the first support 312 and the second support 314. The knuckles
328 may act to space the two supports 312, 314 apart from each other,
while also connecting them together. Further, the knuckles 328 act as
pivot joints to allow the supports 312, 314 to move with respect to each
other. The knuckles 328 may be received within the knuckle apertures 322
in each of the joints 320. At the connection of the knuckles 328, the
supports 312, 314 may extend in opposite directions away from each other.
For example, similar to the locking members 228, the knuckles 328 may
form the middle point of an "X", where the two supports 312, 314 form an
angle with respect to the knuckles 328. As the supports 312, 314 move in
response to a force on the keycap 108, the angle formed between the two
supports 312, 314 may decrease, lowering the keycap 108 towards the
feature plate 118.

[0083] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7B, the knuckles 328 may form
two pivot points for the support mechanism 310. Thus, the supports 312,
314 may be substantially anchored to the feature plate 118, e.g., by the
anchoring members 136 operably connected to the side members 343, 351,
respectively.

[0084] In some embodiments, the supports 312, 314 may form "open loops,"
in that the support members 312, 314 may define a space between opposite
ends of the each support 312, 314. FIG. 9A is a top plan view of the key
106 including the support mechanism 310. FIG. 9B is a top plan view of
the key 106 of FIG. 9A with the keycap removed 108. The fourth side
member 343 of the first support member 312 may terminate in two opposing
edges 360, 362. Similarly, the fourth side member 353 of the second
support 314 may terminate in two opposing edges 364, 366. The two sets of
edges 360, 362, 364, 366 may define a space 368 between each end of the
side members 343, 353, respectively.

[0085] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the supports 312,
314 may form the open loops, which may require less material to form the
support mechanism 310. Furthermore, the open loop configuration may
increase the ease of assembly and manufacturing of the keyboard 102. With
the open loop configuration, the supports 312, 314 may be more easily
positioned within the anchoring members 136 and connected to the securing
features 142 of the keycap 108. Furthermore, by defining a space 368,
more light may be transmitted from the illumination panel 120 or other
light source to the keycap 108 and/or space surrounding the keycap 108 in
order to illuminate the key 106 and the perimeter of the key 106.

[0086] In another embodiment, the support structure may include a separate
joint member interconnecting opposing edges of the supports. FIG. 10A is
a top plan view of the key 106 having a support structure 410 with a
joint member 438 spanning between the edges of each of the supports 412,
414. FIG. 10B is a top plan view of the key 106 of FIG. 10A with the
keycap 108 removed. FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the key 106 of
FIG. 10A taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10A. The support mechanism 410
may include supports 412, 414 for supporting the keycap 108 above the
base 134, and connecting the keycap 108 to the base 134.

[0087] The supports 412, 144 may be substantially the same shape, with the
second support 414 at least partially nested within but spaced apart from
the first support 412. As shown best in FIG. 10B, the supports 412, 414
may be substantially "U" shaped, except that the supports 412, 414 may
have a substantially straight bottom. Each support 412, 414 may include
two parallel side members 440, 442, 450, 452 and a bottom member 441, 451
spanning between the two parallel side members 440, 442, 450, 452. The
side members 440, 442 of the first support 412 may include terminal edges
460, 462. Similarly, the side members 450, 452 of the second support 414
may include terminal edges 464, 466. Additionally, the supports 412, 414
may have a non-rounded cross section (e.g., I beam, rectangular, or
square-shaped) so as to provide additional stiffness for the support
structure 410 in bending and torsion.

[0088] A first joint member 438 may span between the terminal edges 460,
462 of the first support 412. A second joint member 439 may span between
the terminal edges 464, 466 of the second support 414. In one embodiment,
the joint members 438, 439 may have a generally rounded or circular
cross-section, and thus may provide a pin joint for each of the supports
412, 414. Furthermore, the first joint member 438 may be operably
connected to the feature plate 118 by the anchoring mechanism 136. For
example, as shown in FIG. 11, the first joint member 438 may be received
within a cavity defined by the "hook" or L shape of the anchoring member
136. The second joint member 439 may be operably connected to the
retaining feature 143 of the keycap 108. The joint members 338, 439 allow
the support members 412, 414 to rotate about one axis, while preventing
motion in the other two. In other words, the supports 412, 414 may rotate
around a Y axis as the keycap 108 translates vertically, while the
supports 412, 414 remain substantially secured along the X and Z axis
(laterally, and vertically).

[0089] With reference to FIG. 10B, the supports 412, 414 may be operably
connected together by a pair of pins 430, 431. A first pin 430 operably
connects the first side members 440, 450 and a second pin 431 operably
connects the second side members 442, 452 together. The pins 403, 431
provide a pin joint to allow the supports 412, 414 to be connected
together and rotate with respect to each other. The pins 430, 431 may be
similar to the knuckles 328 in FIG. 7B, in that they may from a middle
point of an X, formed by the side members of the supports 412, 414.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 10B, the joint members 438, 439 having the rounded
cross-sections may be positioned on the same side of the keycap 108. In
these embodiments, the supports 412, 414 may be rotatably supported to
the keycap 108 and the feature plate 118 on a single side of the keycap
108. This configuration may allow for better vertical movement for the
keycap 108, while substantially preventing lateral motion of the keycap
108.

Illumination

[0091] With reference again to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the keyboard
102 may include one or more illumination mechanisms to illuminate the
keys 106 or keyboard 100. For example, the illumination mechanism may
provide light to illuminate a symbol on the keycap 108 and/or may
illuminate a perimeter of the key cap 108. The illumination may allow the
keys 106 to be better viewable in low lighting conditions, and may also
provide an aesthetic appeal to the keyboard 102. Furthermore, the
illumination mechanisms may provide feedback to the user, may create
lighted patterns on the keyboard 102, and so on.

[0092] Typical keyboards having an illumination mechanism may position the
mechanism below a feature plate. This is because the feature plate is
typically used to secure the elements of the key to the enclosure, as
well as provide electrical connections for the keys. Typically,
illumination mechanisms may not provide for electrical components or
attachment mechanisms for the key, and so the illumination mechanisms are
positioned below the feature plate. However, this positioning may cause
light from the illumination mechanism to be at least partially blocked by
the feature plate, or may cause the light to travel in a non-direct
manner towards the keycap 108.

[0093] In some embodiments, the keyboard 102 may include an illumination
panel 120 positioned on top of the feature plate 118. FIG. 12A is a top
plan view if the key 106 having the illumination panel 120 positioned
above the feature plate 118. FIG. 12B is a top plan view of the key 106
with the keycap 108 removed. FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the key 106
with the support mechanism 110 removed to illustrate certain elements
clearly. FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the key 106 of FIG. 12A take
along line 13-13 in FIG. 12A. In this embodiment, the illumination panel
120 may be operably connected to a top surface 612 of the feature plate
118. The feature plate 118 and the illumination panel 120 may be operably
connected the sensor membrane 122, which may be positioned on over at
least a portion of one or both the illumination panel 120 and the feature
plate 118. As described above, with respect to FIG. 3, the sensor
membrane 122 may be operably connected to the enclosure 104 by adhesive
124 and/or a fastener 126.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the feature plate 118 and the
illumination panel 120 removed from the keyboard 102. The feature plate
118 and illumination panel 120, as shown in FIG. 14, are illustrated
having a length for supporting three keys 106 and corresponding key
stacks 130. Accordingly, the length of the feature plate 118 and the
illumination plane 120 may be varied for fewer or more keys 106. In some
embodiments, there may be a single feature plate 118 and/or illuminator
panel 120 for each row of keys 106, each key 106, or for the entire
keyboard 102.

[0095] With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the feature plate 118 may have a
base member 604 having two angled extensions 606 that extend upwardly at
an angle from the base member 604. The two extensions 606 transition to
form legs 608 or shoulders that extend substantially parallel to the base
member 604. The base member 604 may be at least partially recessed from
the legs 608 and may define a channel 614 configured to receive at least
a portion of the illumination panel 120.

[0096] Each of the legs 608 may include one or more securing apertures 602
for securing the feature plate 118 to the enclosure 104 and/or other
portions of the key stack 130. In one embodiment, there may be four
securing apertures 602 spaced apart from each other on each leg 208.

[0097] The anchoring members 136 may extend upward from a top surface of
the channel 614. The anchoring members 136, as described above, may be
hook members that may have a "L", "J," or other shape that may allow the
supports 112, 114 of the support mechanism 110 to be secured to the
feature plate 118. The anchoring members 118 may have different
orientations and positions on the feature plate 118 depending on the
position and orientation of the supports 112, 114. However, in some
embodiments, there may two anchoring members 136 for each support 112,
114; thus, there may be four anchoring members 136 for each key 106.

[0098] The illumination panel 120 may be operably connected to the feature
plate 118, e.g., through adhesive, fasteners, or the like. As shown best
in FIG. 14, the anchoring members 136 extend through the illumination
panel 120. Accordingly, the anchoring members 136 may also assist to
operably connect the illumination panel 120 to the feature plate 118. As
such, in some embodiments, the anchoring members 136 may be the only
connection mechanism between the illumination panel 120 and the feature
pate 118.

[0099] The illumination panel 120 may be a device for directing and/or
emitting light. In some embodiments, the illumination panel 120 may be a
light guide, light pipe, or like. In these embodiments, one or more of
the light sources 140 may be optically connected to the illumination
panel 120 to provide light to be transmitted by the illumination panel
120. For example, with reference to FIG. 14, two light sources 140 are
positioned on opposite ends of the illumination panel 120. The light
sources 140, which may be light emitting diodes, emit light into the
illumination panel 120. The light may then be transmitted through the
illumination panel 120 across the length of the feature plate 118. The
light may be configured to be emitted in substantially any direction;
however, in some embodiments, the light may be emitted from a top surface
of the illumination panel 120.

[0100] In other embodiments, the illumination panel 120 may be a light
source, such as an organic light emitting diode, light emitting diode, or
the like. In these embodiments, the light sources 140 may be omitted, or
may provide additional light for the key 106.

[0101] The illumination panel 120 may also include one or more sensors
(not shown) integrated therein for sensing inputs to the key 106. For
example, the illumination panel 120 may include a capacitive sensor, a
switch mechanism, or the like. These sensors will be discussed in more
detail below with respect to FIGS. 19-21.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 13, the illumination panel 120 may be
positioned within the channel 614 of the feature plate 118. In some
embodiments, there may be a space 610 between an edge of the illumination
panel 120 and the top corner of the legs 608 and the extension 606
members. In other embodiments, the edge of the illumination panel 120 may
angle upwards substantially following the shape of the extension members
606 and the space 610 may be eliminated. Within the channel 614, the
illumination panel 120 may be substantially parallel to and coextensive
with the base 604.

[0103] The supports 112, 114 of the support mechanism 110 may be operably
connected to the anchoring members 136, and in some positions the
supports 112, 114 may be adjacent to or rest against a portion of the
illumination panel 120. The haptic device 116 may be positioned above the
illumination panel 120 and in some embodiments may be operably connected
to the sensor membrane 122, which may be positioned above the
illumination panel 120.

[0104] In the keyboard 102 embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12A-14, the
overall vertical height of the key stack 130 may be reduced as compared
to conventional keyboards including an illumination mechanism. This is
because, typically, the feature or anchoring plate is positioned above
the illumination mechanism in order to best secure the key to the
enclosure, as well as provide accurate communication of the input signals
from the key to a processor or other component. However, as the anchoring
members 136 extend through the illumination plate 120, the various
components of the key 106 which may need to be secured to the feature
plate 118, may be secured thereto, while still allowing most of the light
from the illumination panel 120 to be directed towards the keycap 108
and/the perimeter around the keycap 108. Thus, the feature plate 118 can
be attached directly beneath the illumination panel 120, without
requiring additional fasteners or attachment layers, which can increase
the thickness of the keyboard 102.

[0105] Furthermore, as the illumination panel 120 is positioned above the
feature plate 118, the efficiency of the limitation panel 120 and/or
light sources 140 may be increased. As briefly explained above,
typically, the feature plate may block a significant portion of the light
directed from the illumination panel and/or may cause the illumination
panel to have to emit light in a non-perpendicular or direct manner
(e.g., to avoid the feature plate). For example, in some keyboards, the
feature plate may include a single aperture to allow light from the
illumination mechanism to be directed towards the keycap. On the
contrary, as the illumination panel 120 is positioned above the feature
plate 118 and substantially beneath and parallel to the keycap 108. Thus,
the illumination panel 120 can emit light substantially perpendicularly
and normal to the surface of the illumination panel 120. This allows the
illumination panel 120 to emit less light than conventional keyboards,
while still creating the same illumination effects, such as brightness
and color. This is due to the fact that more of the light emitted by a
light source may exit without being blocked, reflected, or reflected.

[0106] In operation, for some embodiments, the light sources 140 may emit
light into the illumination panel 120. The illumination panel 120 may
transmit the light across the feature plate 118 and upwards
perpendicularly towards the keycap 108. As the light is transmitted from
the illumination panel 120 it may exit around the keycap 108 (e.g.,
through the space between the enclosure 104 and the keycap 108), or the
light may be transmitted through the keycap 108.

[0107] As briefly mentioned above, the feature plate 118 and/or the
illumination panel 120 may be configured to have a length that may extend
along a length of multiple keys. In some embodiments, the length of the
feature plate 118 and/or the illumination panel 120 may be configured to
cover the length of an entire key 106 row. In these embodiments, there
may be an illumination panel 120 and/or a feature plate 118 for every row
of keys, which may be positioned along rows of the keyboard 102. In other
embodiments, the illumination panel 120 may have different dimensions
and/or be differently positioned within the keyboard 102, these are
discussed in more detail below.

[0108] FIG. 15A is a cross-section view of the key 102 illustrating the
illumination panel 120 positioned in rows with respect to the feature
plate 118 and each key 106 row. It should be noted that in FIG. 15A
select features have been hidden to more clearly illustrate the
relationships between other features. As shown in FIG. 15A, the anchoring
members 136 may extend upwards from the base 604, and may form a barrier
wall for the illumination panel 120. In this manner, the anchoring
members 136 may reflect light from the illumination panel 120 back into
the illumination panel or towards the keycap 108. This may concentrate
the light from the illumination panel 120 under the keycap 108, so that
the keycap 108 may be better illuminated and may prevent light from being
emitted around the sides of the keycap 108.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 15A, the space 210 between the illumination panel
120 and the corner formed by the extension 606 and the legs 608 may be
increased, as the illumination panel 120 may substantially confined
within the anchoring members 136. In these embodiments, the illumination
panel 120 my have a decreased width as compared to other embodiments. For
example, the illumination panel 120 may span between the anchoring
members 136, but may be confined within the anchoring members 136. In
these embodiments, the anchoring members 136 may extend around sides of
the illumination panel 120, rather than through the illumination panel
120.

[0110] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15A, the legs 608 of the
feature plate 118 may be operably connected to the sensor membrane 122 by
the adhesive 124. The adhesive 124 may further act to operably connect
the membrane 122 to the enclosure 104.

[0111] In other embodiments, the supports 112, 114 of the support
mechanism 110 may be positioned adjacent to the illumination panel 120.
FIG. 15B is a cross-section view of the key 106 illustrating the supports
112, 114 extending through the sensor membrane 122 and contacting the
illumination panel 120. In these embodiments, the illumination panel 120
may include sensors for detecting when the keycap 108 is pressed by a
user. This may reduce the vertical height of the key stack 130 because
the supports 112, 114 may still provide the same vertical extension for
the keycap 108, but may be positioned lower within the key stack 130,
reducing the overall vertical height of the key stack 130.

[0112] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15B, in some instances, one or more
of the adhesive 124 layers may be replaced by fasteners 126. In these
embodiments the fasteners 126 may connect to the feature plate 118 and
the sensor membrane 122, but may not be operably connected to the
illumination panel 120. As the illumination panel 120 may be positioned
in rows and may be bordered by anchoring members 136, the height of the
fastener 126 may be shared with the vertical height of the illumination
panel 120. In other words, because the fastener 126 may not have to
extend through the thickness of the illumination panel 120, the vertical
height of the fastener 126 (when coupled to the key stack 130). Thus, the
key stack 130 may have a reduced vertical height as compared to
conventional keyboards where the fastener may have to travel through an
illumination mechanism and a feature plate in order to secure the each
component together.

[0113] In some embodiments, the fasteners 126 may be positioned on two
opposite sides of the key 106. For example, the fasteners 126 may extend
through the sides of the enclosure 104 bordering the key 106. The
fasteners 126 may be substantially any type of fastening member, such as
but not limited to, rivets, nails, screws and the like. However, in some
embodiments, the fasteners 126 may be thread-less or self-clenching
fasteners such as rivets. In these embodiments, the fasteners 126 may be
press fit into the key stack 130, or inserted with a parallel acting
squeezing force. This may allow for faster assembly time as compared to
conventional keyboards which may require threaded fasteners that have to
be screwed into place. Furthermore, without threads, the fasteners 126
may be inserted into the key stack 130 without requiring special aperture
preparation, such as chamfering and deburring. Once inserted, the
fasteners 126 may be substantially flush with the bottom side of the
feature plate 118, so as to further reduce the vertical height of the key
stack 130 as compared to conventional keyboards.

[0114] As briefly described above, in some embodiments, the illumination
panel 120 may extend past key rows or individual keys. For example, in
some instances, the illumination panel 120 may extend along the entire
area of the keyboard 102. In these embodiments, the illumination panel
120 may extend between keys and key rows. FIG. 15C is a cross-section
view of the keyboard illustrating the illumination panel 129 extending
between rows of keys 106. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 15C, in these
embodiments, the feature plate 118 may also extend between rows. For
example, the base 604 of the feature plate 118 may be substantially
planar along multiple sets of rows, and the legs 606 may be omitted or
may only extend from the terminal ends (not shown) of the feature plate
118 (at the edges of the keyboard 102).

[0115] With reference to FIG. 15C, in these embodiments, the illumination
panel 120 may be positioned above the feature plate 118. For example, the
lower layer of adhesive 124 may operably connect the illumination plane
120 above a top surface 605 of the feature plate 118. However, as can bee
seen in FIG. 15C, the anchoring members 136 may still extend through the
illumination panel 120 in order to connect the support mechanism 110 (not
shown) to the feature plate 119. In these embodiments, the light sources
140 may be positioned between the feature plate 118 and the illumination
panel 120 and may light the illumination panel 120 from beneath. However,
in other embodiments, the light sources 140 may be positioned on the
sides of the illumination panel 120 (as shown in FIG. 14), or the
illumination panel 120 itself may include the light source.

[0116] As briefly described above, in some embodiments, the illumination
panel 120 may be configured to be positioned beneath individual keys 106.
FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a key 706 removed from the keyboard
102. FIG. 16B is a top plan view of the key 706. FIG. 16C is a top plan
view of the key 706 with the keycap 108 removed. FIG. 17 is a
cross-section view of the key 706 taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 16B. The
key 706 may be substantially similar to the key 106; however, in this
embodiment, the feature plate 118 may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 17, a
support plate 718, which may be a printed circuit board, or the like, may
be used to support the elements of the key 706. Furthermore, a frame 422
may be provided around an illumination panel 720, which may help to
better contain and direct light illuminated from the illumination panel
720.

[0117] In this embodiment, the key 706 may include the support plate 718,
the illumination panel 720, the light source 140, and a frame 722. The
support plate 718 may form a bottom portion of the key 706, and may
further communicate input signals (e.g., from a sensor indicating an user
input) to components of the computing device 100. The support plate 718
may be a printed circuit board or other substrate to support electrical
connections. In these embodiments, sensors and/or illumination mechanisms
may be integrated with the support plate 718 to further reduce the
vertical height of the key stack 130.

[0118] The illumination panel 720 may be substantially the same as the
illumination panel 120. However, in these embodiments, the illumination
panel 720 may be configured to have substantially the same area as the
keycap 108. Accordingly, the illumination panel 720 may be better able to
direct light only towards the keycap 108, so that less light may be
emitted around the edges of the keycap 108 or through apertures or the
like in the enclosure 104.

[0119] The frame 722 may surround the illumination panel 720 and may
assist in preventing light from being emitted in directions other than
through or towards the keycap 108. FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the
frame 722 positioned around the illumination 720. As can been seen in
FIG. 18, the frame 722 may generally trace around the outer perimeter of
the illumination panel 720 and may include one more retaining features
724 to secure the illumination panel 720 in position. In some
embodiments, the frame 722 may be a material configured to substantially
prevent light from being transmitted therethrough. Accordingly ,the frame
722 may prevent light from being transmitted around the frame 722, and
the light may reflect off the frame 722 and towards the keycap 108 or
illumination panel 120.

[0120] In one embodiment, the light source 140 may be positioned along one
edge of the illumination panel 720, within the frame 722. Thus, each key
706 may include its own illumination panel 720 and light source 140. In
combination with the frame 722, the illumination panel 720 and the light
source 140 may illuminate substantially only the keycap 108. This may
prevent light leakage around the keycap 108, i.e., the "halo" effect.
Accordingly, any symbols on the keycap 108 may be more easy to read, as
light may not escape around the edges of the keycap 108 which may
interfere with the light emitted through the keycap 108.

Sensing Member

[0121] In some embodiments, the keyboard 102 may include one or more
sensors to sensor a user's input to a particular key 106 or keys. FIG. 19
is a simplified cross-section view of the key 106. The key 106 may
include the keycap 108, the support mechanism 110, and the feature plate
118. Additionally, the key 106 may include a sensing member 820, which
may be integrated into the illumination panel 120, or may be separate
therefrom. The sensing member 820 may be a capacitive sensor, which may
detect a change in capacitance. For example, the sensing member 820 may
be indium tin oxide (ITO), or tin-doped indium oxide, which may be
positioned on top of a light guide, light pipe, or other light source
(i.e., the illumination panel 120). In one embodiment, the sensing member
820 may be ITO layered on a film of organic light emitting diodes
(OLEDs). In these embodiments, the sensing member 820 may detect any of
all of the following: the position of the keycap 108, a force magnitude
on the keycap 108, a user's finger position on the keycap 108, and/or
other parameters may be detected by the sensing member 820 via a
corresponding sensor 822.

[0122] The sensing member 820 may be positioned in a number of different
locations within the key stack 130, depending on the desired input to be
sensed. For example, the sensing member 820 may be positioned below the
keycap 108 (as shown in FIG. 19) to detect when a user has pressed the
keycap 108. In other embodiments, the sensing member 820 may be
positioned within the haptic device 116, which may allow the sensing
member 820 to detect a compression of the haptic device 116. In yet other
embodiments, the sensing member 820 may be positioned on an inner surface
of the enclosure 104 or other portions of the key stack 130 facing
inwards towards the key 106.

[0123] Similarly, depending on the position of the sensing member 820, the
key 106 may include a shielding member to better isolate an input from
the sensing member 820. For example, in some instances the sensing member
820 may detect small changes in capacitance. As the keyboard 102 may
include multiple keys 106 positioned close together, with the close
proximity of the keys 106, in addition to the small change in
capacitance, it may be difficult for the sensing member 820 to
differentiate between whether a user has a his or her finger 801 on one
key or the next. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the shielding or
dielectric material may isolate the sensing member 820 for external noise
or other signals. In one embodiment, the sensing member 820 may be
positioned between the anchoring members 136 towards the inner portion of
the key 106, which may act to block the sensing member 820 from some
noise. Alternatively or additionally, the sensing member 820 may be
positioned within the haptic device 116, which can include one more
shielding layers deposited therein to at least partially isolate the
sensing member 820.

[0124] With continued reference to FIG. 19, the sensing member 820 may be
integrated with the illumination panel 120 and may thus provide both
sensing inputs and illumination output. In these embodiments, the
vertical height of the key stack 130 may be substantially reduced. This
is because the sensor membrane 122 may be omitted, and the sensing member
820 may be directly positioned below the support mechanism 110. However,
in other embodiments, the sensing member 820 may be positioned in other
locations.

[0125] FIG. 20A is a top plan view of a key including the sensing member
820 positioned as a frame around a sensor membrane 122. FIG. 20B is a top
plan view of the key 106 of FIG. 20A with the keycap removed. FIG. 21 is
a cross-section view of the key 106 taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 20A.
The sensing member 820 may be positioned on a top surface of the sensing
membrane 122. In some embodiments, the sensing member 820 may interact
with various features of the key 106, such as parts that may contain
metal or the like to detect changes in capacitance or the like. In other
embodiments, a corresponding sensor 822 may be positioned on a bottom
edge 824 and/or a bottom surface 826 of the keycap 108. Accordingly, as
the keycap 108 is pressed downward, the sensor 822 may move closer
towards the sensing member 820, causing a change in capacitance for the
sensing member 820. The change in capacitance allows the sensing member
820 to detect the input. In this embodiment, as show best in FIG. 20B,
the sensing member 820 may be a frame positioned on the sensor membrane
122 (or other component of the base 134) so as to be substantially
aligned with the bottom edge 824 of the keycap 108.

[0126] In these embodiments, the sensor 822 may be a layer of sensing
material that may interact with the sensing member 822 to change a
signal. For example, the combination of the sensor 820 and the sensing
member 822 may have a set capacitance that varies based on the distance
and/or if other capacitive elements are present.

[0127] In other embodiments, the sensor 822 may be positioned on an inner
extrusion 828 of the haptic device 116 and the sensing member 820 may be
positioned within a cavity defined by the haptic device 116. As the
keycap 108 is compressed, the haptic device 116 may correspondingly
compress, bringing the sensor 822 closer towards the sensing member 820.
In this embodiment, one or more shielding members or layers may be
positioned on an outer or inner surface of the haptic device 116, which
may at least partially isolate the sensing member 820 from outside
signals and/or noise.

[0128] In still other embodiments, the sensor 822 may be operably
connected to or integrated with the support mechanism 110. For example,
if the sensor mechanism 110 is metal or includes a metal material, the
sensing member 820 may be able to detect changes in the height of the
supports 112, 114. Similarly, the keycap 108 may also be metal or include
metal materials, and the sensing member 820 may detect changes of
position, a finger positioned on the keycap 108, or the like. Moreover,
the haptic device 116 may include metal or metal materials and the
sensing mechanism 820 may be positioned to be in communication with the
haptic device 116 to detect changes in position of the haptic device 116.

[0129] In embodiments where the sensor 822 and the sensing mechanism 820
sense changes in capacitance, many different types of inputs to the key
106 may be sensed. In one example, the keyboard 102 may determine if a
user swipes his or her hand over the keys 106, which could be used as an
input gesture for the computing deice 100. Similarly, the keys 106 may
sense when a user has placed his or her finger 801 on top of the keycap
108 and thus could detect finger position, although a user may not apply
a force to depress the keycap 108. Additionally, the sensing mechanism
820 may be able to determine the speed at which the keycap 108 is
depressed, the amount of force applied to the keycap 108, and the like.
These different parameters may provide for different outputs by the
keyboard 102. For example, a user may apply different gestures to the
keyboard 102, similar to gestures applied to captive touch screens, by
varying the force applied to a key 106, the symbol may be modified (e.g.,
force under a certain level may correspond to a lower case letter and
force above a certain level may correspond to a capitalized letter), and
so on.

[0130] Furthermore, in embodiments utilizing the sensing member 820, the
haptic device and/or support member 110 may be eliminated. For example,
the keycap 108 may not be required to move mechanically in order to
detect a user input. Rather, the sensing member 820 may detect a user's
input on the surface o the keycap 108, or the like. Accordingly, the key
aperture 128 for receiving the key 106 and allowing the keycap 108 to
move vertically may be covered, reduced, and/or eliminated. The lack of a
mechanical connection may allow for faster typing (a user may not have to
exert a pressure downward to select a key) and the keyboard 102 may be
more resistant to liquid. Typical keyboards may be susceptible to
liquids, as the key aperture 128 may expose the sensor membrane 122,
illumination panel 120, and other electrical components to liquids
spilled or otherwise present on the keyboard 102.

Bonding

[0131] In some embodiments, the base 134 may be operably connected to the
enclosure 104. As described briefly above, in some embodiments, various
elements of the base 134 may be attached the enclosure 104 by fasteners
or bonding. FIG. 22 is a simplified cross-section view of the key 106
illustrating the adhesive layer 124 operably connecting the feature plate
118 to the enclosure 104. As described above, the feature plate 118 may
be operably connected to the illumination panel 120 and/or the sensor
membrane 122. Accordingly, by operably connecting the feature plate 118
to the enclosure 104, the other layers may also be operably connected to
the enclosure 104. Additionally or alternatively, one more of the layers
may also be attached to the enclosure 104 by the adhesive layer 124.

[0132] The adhesive 124 may reduce the vertical height of the key stack
130, as the adhesive 124 may have a thinner vertical thickness as
compared with the vertical height of a fastener. This is because the bond
of the adhesive 124 may be spread laterally, across surfaces already
contributing to the vertical height (e.g., feature plate 118), but may be
spread thinly so as to not add a significant amount of thickness to the
key stack 130. Furthermore, assembly and manufacturing the keyboard 102
may be easier than typical keyboards that may require fasteners. For
example, the various components and layers of the key stack 130 can be
press-fit or placed on top of each other and the adhesive 124 may secure
them together. Also, the adhesive 124 may be easier to apply to small
components and/or components having complicated geometries than typical
fasteners.

[0133] The foregoing description has broad application. For example, while
examples disclosed herein may focus on a keyboard, it should be
appreciated that the concepts disclosed herein may equally apply to other
input devices. Similarly, although the various embodiments may be
discussed with respect to the keyboard, any of the separate features of
the keyboard may be used separately or integrated together. Accordingly,
the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be an example and is
not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the
claims, is limited to these examples.